Jada Pinkett Smith defends parenting skills in face of criticism

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has jumped to defend her parenting skills following allegations she is far too lenient a mom.

“The Matrix” star came under fire from parenting groups for allowing her 12-year-old daughter Willow to dye her hair and shave her head as part of a fashion statement, and now Jada Pinkett is publicly addressing the issue for the first time, insisting the preteen has the power to do whatever she pleases with her body.

In a post on Facebook.com, she writes, “This is a world where women, girls are constantly reminded that they don’t belong to themselves; that their bodies are not their own, nor their power or self determination.

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“I made a promise to endow my little girl with the power to always know that her body, spirit and her mind are HER domain. Willow cut her hair because her beauty, her value, her worth is not measured by the length of her hair.

“It’s also a statement that claims that even little girls have the RIGHT to own themselves and should not be a slave to even their mother’s deepest insecurities, hopes and desires. Even little girls should not be a slave to the preconceived ideas of what a culture believes a little girl should be.”